Switch construction



Nov. 7, 1944.

G. R. RUNKE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed March 19, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fNVENTOR. film/VIP. lPl/AKf A TTOR NE Y Nov. 7, 1944. G. R. RUNKE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19, 1945 M .d m f M w n m I W N 1 W Y M 8 En h MN.-. .H Mmm 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 7, 1944. G. R. RUNKE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed March 19, 1943 INVEN TOR. 620w A. fun Ki A 7'7'0RNEX Nov. 7, 1944. G. R. RUNKE 5 3 SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed March 19, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. fizz/WE /PVA/A A TTORN K Patented Nov. 7, 1944 2,362,312 SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Glenn R. Runke, Racine, Wis., assignor to Line Material Company, South Milwaukee, Wis., a.

corporation of Delaware Application March 19, 1943, Serial No. 479,734

20 Claims. (Cl. 200-116) This invention relates to a switch construction.

In greater detail, this invention relates primarily to a switch construction of the circuit breaker type.

Qbjects of this invention are to provide a cir cult breaker which has a quick make and a quick break, which has condition responsive means of the trip type, which is so constructed that it releases the circuit breaker so that the circuit breaker will open under predetermined conditions, and which is provided with a handle or other operating means for normally opening and closing the circuit breaker and for resetting the trip means, the trip means and the operating means being so related that the trip means will operate to release the circuit breaker irrespective of the position of the operating means and irrespective 01' any motion that the operating means may be executing at the time the trip means operates so that the trip means is trip free and will operate no-matter whether the operating means is forcibly held in closed position or is-heing moved from one position to another.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker which is so constructed that the circuit breaker cannot be closed until the trip means is moved statically or magnetically or otherwise operated and which has either a quick action or a delayed action and which is adjustable so'that the condition to which it will respond may be predetermined.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker which has a heavy contact pressure when it is closed, in which this heavy contact pressure-is maintained during the operation of the circuit breaker until the instant at which the contacts are suddently separated, thereby avoiding burning of the contacts under overload conditions.

Further objects are to provide a-circuit breaker in which. the mechanism is so arranged that it is easy to operate in opening and closing the oil:- cuit breaker and in resetting the tripmeans, and

which is so made that there is no great wear on the parts during the opening and closing of the.

circuit breaker or during the resetting of the trip means as the mechanism is so arranged during resetting, for example, relatively small forces or pressures are exerted between the cooperating parts, thereby minimizing wear.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker in which the handle or main operating means is connected by a spring means to an actuator for actuating the switch operating means, and in which the actuator is designed to pivot successively at a plurality of different points on a carrier so that the tension on the sprin means will not be unduly increased at any point during the operation of the actuator.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker in which the trip means is required to exert only a very small force in order to cause automatic operation, the construction providing a toggle link arrangement for the trip means to operate a pivoted latch normally restraining the circuit breaker in closed position, the parts being so organized that the pull on the latch is approximately in line with the center point of the pivoted latch, the relatiori of the parts being such that there is no chance of wedging or jamming any part of the trip mechanism during relatching.

In greater detail, further objects are to provide a switch construction in which the switch operating means is floating and is yieldingly pivoted at an intermediate point so that thepivot point does itself move or shift during the opening or closing of the switch means, the construction being such that heavy contact pressure is maintained up to the instant the switch means is suddenly opened, and the resiliently urged pivot construction cooperating with an actuator to secure quick opening and quick closing motion, the switch operating means having both translatory and rotational motion.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker construction which is sturdy and is reliable in operation, which may be installedin a transformer case and submerged in the oil in the transformer case if desired, and which if a thermostatic trip means is employed, may be arranged to have the thermostatic means respond solely to the heat generated by current passing through the then mostatic means or to the combined action of the heat in the oil from the transformer or other de vice as well as from the heat due to the current passing through the thermostatic means, or be arranged to respond solely to the heat of the oil.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the circuit breaker.

Figure 2 is a front end view thereof.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the circuit breaker with a part of the main operating means sectioned off, and the springs omitted.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 showing the circuit breaker in closed position.

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 showing the circuit breaker in the manually opened position.

Figure 6 is a view showing the circuit breaker in one position that it occupies when it is automatically opening.

Figure 7 shows an intermediate position of the parts during automatic operation.

Figure 8 shows the final position of the parts after automatic operation.

Figure 9 is aiview showing one manner of mounting the circuit breaker in a transformer casing.

Figure 10 is a sectional view on the line Il-II of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view of a further manner in which the circuit breaker may be mounted.

Figure 12 is a wiring diagram of the circuit breaker showing it connected to the secondary of a transformer.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view of a further form of condition responsive means.

Before proceeding .with the detailed description of this invention, it is to be understood that the circuit breaker may have either a single switch means or a plurality of switch means, a circuit breaker with a pair of switch mean having been chosen for the sake of illustration. The circuit breaker chosen for illustration maybe installed in a three wire, single phase system as indicated, or in a three phase system with the two switch means located in two lines of the three phase system in a well known manner, or, if desired, three switch elements could be used for the threephase circuit as the invention contemplates the use of a single or any number of switch ele-' ments as desired.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the circuit breaker is provided with an elongated channel-shaped switch operating mean I which at one end carries an insulating, rectangular rock shaft 2. The switch operating means is pivoted as indicated at 3 intermediate its ends upon a member 4 which is constantly upwardly urged by mggns of a spring 5 so that the switch operating us I is pivoted intermediate its ends for both rotational and translator-y motion as will appear hereinafteras the description proceeds.

A pair of movable switch members indicated generally at 6, see Figure 1, are rigidly mounted on opposite ends of the insulating rock shaft 2. They may be of channel shape and may carry the movable contacts 1 which are guided through an apertured, inwardly turned lip 8 of a downwardly extending portion 9 of the switch. means. These movable contact are spring urged downwardly with respect to the contact members 6 by means of the springs III which are centered over reduced portions of the movable contacts I at the lower ends of the springs and are centered at their upper ends in any suitable manner. The movable contacts I engage the stationary contacts II when the switch is closed. The stationary contacts II may be provided with terminal portions l2, see Figure 3. The movable contacts are connected by means of flexible leaders or conductors I3 with the free end of bi-metallic members I4, the bi-metallic members being positioned on opposite sides of the circuit breaker. The fixed ends of the bi-metallic elements I4 are secured to terminal members I5, as shown in Figure 3, and are carried by laterally projecting lugs I6 formed integrally or otherwise secured to the outer sides of the upstanding insulating walls I! of the insulating body portion or frame structure of the circuit breaker. These walls may be integrally or otherwise joined to the insulating base I8 and are provided with outwardly projecting, rearwardly located lugs l8 between which and the lugs IS the flexible leaders ll are positioned.

The switch operating member I is actuated by means of the pivotally mounted actuator indicated generally at 20. The actuator is provided with a pair of downwardly projecting arms indicated at 2| which are lotted at the lower end and receive the trunnions of a roller 22, the roller 22 operating within the channel of the switch operating member I as the actuator is rocked back and forth in a manner hereinafter described. The actuator is provided with a pair of upwardly extending, spaced arms 23. The actuator is formed in two half sections with the intermediate portion 24 thereof integrally Joined.

The upper surface of the arms 22 of the actuator 20 are provided with a series of notches 2|, 26 and 21 which are adapted'w respectively engage and pivot about pins 23,, 29 and I rigidly carried by a carrier ll. The carrier -II is normally held in its latched position, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and on automatic operation assumes the final position shown in Figure 8. The right-hand position of the actuator as viewed in Figure 4 for instance is determined by means of a rivet 32 extending between the walls of the switch operating member I and provided with a spacer sleeve 33. The left-hand position of the actuator is determined by the engagement of the intermediate portion 24 of the actuator with a shouldered portion ll'formed on the carrier ll.

Main operating means are provided which may take the form of a pair of lever 35 pivoted as indicated at 3' below the switch operating member I and extending upwardly on opposite sides of the switch operating member. These levers are connected at their upper end by means of the pin 31 and are operated in any suitable manner, as by means of the rock arms as connected to the pin 31 by means of links 89, the rock arms 38 being carried by means of the rock shaft ll extending through the transformer casing ll, for instance in Figures 9 and 10, and operated by means of the externally mounted handle 42 which is rigid with the rock shaft 40.

A pair of tension springs 43 are connected at their outer ends in any suitable manner, for example by means of the members N and 45 to the pin 31 and the trunnions of the roller 22 of the actuator. These springs exert a constant pull and maintain the roller within the slotted lower portion of the arms 2| of the actuator and also maintain the actuator indicated generally at 2| in pivotal engagement with one or another of the pins or bearing members 28, 2s and ll of the carrier II.

It will be noted from the description thus far given that the switch operating member I is constantly spring urged upwardly by means of the spring 5 and that the actuator indicated generally at 20 and the carrier 3| are also constantly urged upwardly by means of the spring 43. It is to be noted that the switch operating member is provided with slots 46 in the rear ends of its walls which slots receive the guiding pin 41 rigidly carried between the side frames I! of the circuit breaker.

Assuming that the circuit breaker is in closed position as shown in Figure 4 and it is desired to manually open the circuit breaker, the main operating member 35 is rocked from the right-hand position of Figure 4 to the left-hand position of Figure 5. The actuator successively pivots about the pivot points or pins 28, 29 and 30 as the center line of the springs passes to the left of lines joining the axis of the roller 22 with the respectlve pivot points or pins 28, 29 and 30. The actuator has acquired considerable speed as it passes over the movable pivot point of the switch perating member I, and after it has passed to the left of the pivot point of the switch operating member I, the spring suddenly rocks the switch operating member upwardly to the position shown in Figure 5,thus opening the switch means with a quick motion.

It is clear that when it is desired to manually close the circuit breaker, the main operating means is rocked from the left-hand position shown in Figure 5 to the right-hand position shown in Figure 4 and the actuator successively pivots about the pivot points or pins 30, 29 and 28, thus suddenly closing, the switch means, for by the time the actuator is passing over the movable pivot point of the switch operating member it has acquired considerable speed and when it has passed to the right oi the pivot point of the switch operating member I, the spring 5 suddenly rocks the switch operating member in a direction to close the switch means with a quick motion.

It will be seen that by having a plurality of pivot points between the actuator and the carrier the springs 43 are not unduly extended and consequently less force is required to operate the main operating members 35 under these conditions than if a singl tween the actuator the carrier.

For automatic oper .tion of the apparatus a latch lever 48 is pivotally mounted as indicated at 49 and is provided with a pin 50 beneath which the flat upper face is carrier normally tending to rotate small. The lever e members of apntegrally joined reality made w" proximately T-shape at their upper ends as n 48 has a relatively lo. 53 which carries a rol; a latching finger 55. A re is carried by the lower portion of the lever is adapted to be engaged by the lower rounded face 51 when the carrier 35 is rocked downwardly, as will appear hereinafter. The carrier 3! is pivoted upon the pin 58 at its right-hand end. The latching lip is a part of the lever 59 pivoted at 60 and spring urged in a clockwise direction. The upper end of the lever 59 is connected to the free end of toggle link mechanism, one portion of which is formed or the links 6! pivoted at 52 to the upper end of the lever 59 and the other portion of which is formed by the links63 pivoted at a stationary point as indicated at 64. The toggle links are spring urged downwardly as indicated and are provided with projecting pins 55 at their intertro es bl lly held, above mediate point where the elements 6| and 63 are tion as shown in Figure 5; It is to be noted, however, that the spring means 66 acting on the lever 59 will overpower the spring means 67 tending to restore the toggle mechanism to the latched position just past center as shown in Figure 5 after the toggle links have been moved upwardly past their center position in a manner immediately hereinafter to appear.

The toggle links are raised upwardly by means of angularly turned strips or hook like members 68 carried by a rock shaft 59. The hook like members 68, however, are pivotally mounted as indicated at 10 on the rock shaft 69 and are normally held in relation to the rock shaft in the of these members during resetting in the event,

the rock shaft is in a position tending to raise the center of the toggle link mechanism, and the intermediate point of the toggle link mechanism is moved downwardly,

The rock shaft 69 is pivoted between portions 13 supported from the walls ll of the main body portion of the circuit breaker, see Figure 3. The rock shaft may be formed of insulating material as indicated and is provided with a pair of integral, forwardly extending arms 74 through which adjusting screws 15 are threaded. These adjusting screws extend downwardly and terminate in insulating pins 16 which bear against the free ends of the bi-metallic members 44, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The bi-metallic members upon overload are adapted to warp upwardly and thus raise one or both of the arms 14 and thereby rock the rock shaft 69.

Upon reference to Figure 4 it will be seen that when the rock shaft 69 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction, the hook members 68 will raise the center point of the toggle mechanism and thus break the toggle and allow the lever 59 to rock inwardly, thus releasing the arm 53 of the lever 48 and allowing this lever to rock in a counterelockwise direction as it is urged in such direction by the upward thrust of the flat face 5| of the carrier 3| against the pin 50 of the lever 48. The lever 48 then rocks to releasing position as shown in Figure 6 and allows the carrier 3| to spring upwardly. During this upward motion of the carrier the projecting portion 11 of the actuator strikes a transverse stop "I8 extending betwee. the walls I! of the main frame and the carrier is suddenly rotated in a clockwise direction about the first pivot point or pin 28. This brings the line of pull of the spring'43 to the right of the axis of the actuating member or member 35 and thus rocks the actuating member 35 to the left from the position shown in Figure 7 to the position shown in Figure 8', the actuator 20 successively rocking about the pivot. points or pins 28, 29 and 3D and coming to rest by engagement of the portion 2 of the actuator against the shoulder 3 of the carrier 3|, as shown in Figure 8. As soon as the actuator is raised upwardly as described hereinabove by the upward motion of the carrier 3? under the influence of the springs 43, the spring 5 immediately raises the switch operating member 5 and the switch means are opened with a quick. motion so as to provide a quick break.

It is to be noted also with reference to Figure 8 that the actuator 23 is moved to what would correspond to its switch open position if it had been manually operated, and also his to be noted that the main operating means 35 has been moved to an indicating position to show that the automatic action has taken place. Correspondingly the handle 42, see Figure 10, will be moved to the indicating position.

In order to reset the circuit breaker the main operating means 35 is rocked from the position shown in Figure 8 to the left so that the levers constituting the main operating means 35 will engage pins :3 projecting from opposite sides of the extreme outer end of the carrier 3| and will consequently depress the carrier.

Upon an examination of Figure 6 it will be seen that as the carrier is rocked downwardly, the rounded lower portion 51 of the carrier will engage the pin 56 and will rock the lever N in a clockwise direction, thus raising the latching roller or member 54 above the lip 55. The projecting pins 19 of the carrier will engage the links 63 of the toggle link mechanism and will push the toggle link mechanism downwardly to its position shown in Figure 4, thus resetting the circuit breaker by moving the latching lip 55 of the lever 58 to the left beneath the latching roller or member 54 of the lever II. If the bi-metallic elements have cooled sufficiently, the circuit. breaker will remain in latched position but if by any chance the operator attempts to reset the circuit breaker prior to cooling of the bi-metallic elements, no damage will be done to the hook like members 68 as' they will merely pivot about the pivot point") on the rock shaft 69, the spring 1i yielding to allow this motion. Thus there is no chance of jamming or injuring any part of the latching mechanism even if attempt is made to reset the circuit breaker too quickly after automatic operation.

After the circuit breaker has been reset, the

'main operating means 35 is rocked to the right and the actuator rocks in a counterclockwise direction to the extreme right-hand limit of its motion to the position shown in Figure 4 and thus quickly closes the switch means.

It will be seen that the switch operating means I and the switch means constitute a unitary floating structure which is pivoted about a. point and is adapted to have both rocking and translatory motion. It will be seen that as the actuator is rocked back and forth across the pivot point of the switch operatingmember I during manual operation of the circuit breaker, the spring 5 will suddenly throw the switch to open or closed position depending on the position of the actuator. It will also be seen that upon automatic operation the springs is suddenly raise the actuator and carrier and the spring 5 will suddenly raise the switch operating means and cause it to pivot about the pin 41 to the position shown in Figure 6 and thus quickly open the switch means.

If desired the circuit breaker may be mounted directly upon the transformer ll within the transformer case M as shown in Figure 9 and may be operated by means of the externally located handle, see Figure 10.

The circuit breaker may be mounted below the oil level indicated at II in Figure 9 so that the switch is operated in oil and so that the thermostatic elements may be heated not only by the current passing therethrough but by the general temperature of the oil. nae-purpose of this is to allow the thermostatic elements to respond not only to a relativei'yzsuddenoverload but to allow them to respond to the gradual rise of temperature of the oil which would result from a small and prolonged overload due to the heating of the transformer itself. Thus there may be afforded the double protection of opening the i switch under the influence of an overload of ressonable magnitude or the opening of the switch from a prolonged small overload due to the heating of the transformer. It is obvious also that if desired the main current need not pass through the thermal members and the thermal members could then respond merely to the heat of the oil if so desired, or the-oil level could be so regulated that it is below the thermal members and then the thermal members would respond merely to the heat of the current passing therethrough.

The circuit breaker is also adapted for wall mounting. For example it may be mounted in a casing 82, see Figure 11, and may be operated by an insulating handle 83 which is attached to the main operating means 35', which latter correspond to the main operating means 35 hereinbefore described. The insulating handle I! extends through a slot in the curved outer wall of the casing 82. It is apparent also that the adjusting screws 15 may be adjusted so that the device will respond to any predetermined current condition. If desired pointers, not shown, may cooperate with the adjusting screws 15 to indicate the setting.

Figure 12 shows a wiring diagram in which the circuit breaker is mounted in a grounded neutral, single phase-circuit of the secondary ll of the transformer ll.

Obviously other forms of condition responsive means may be employed. For example the solenoid type as shown in Figure 13 may be provided.

'This device may comprise a solenoid 85 which is adapted to raise a plunger 85 and thus rock one or both of the arms 14 to trip the circuit breaker. If desired, a dashpot arrangement may be provided as indicated at 81 and a spring ll may be provided for returning the plunger to its normal position.

It is to be noted that the dashpot arrangement may be so made that a time delay or any desired extent may be obtained-by suitably proportioning the cylinder and the orifices opening thereinto as shown in Figure 13. Obviously other time delay means may be employed without departing from the spirit of this invention and it is to be distinctly understood that the circuit breaker could be made to respond to over or under voltage, overload, phase reversal. or any other desired. condition.

The purpose of having time delay is to prevent the breaker from suddenly opening for any sudden and extremely transitory overload for instance but to allow the breaker to open as promptly as desired for an overload for a period longer than that for which the time delay has been designed. As stated hereinabove, a certain degree of adjustment is also obtained by adjusting the screws 15.

It is to be understood that the circuit breaker can bemade either with a double switch constructlon as illustrated or a single switch construction orinanymannerdesired. Alsoitistobeunderstood that although it is shown in a single phasesystem itcanbeusedinathreephasesystern as the two switch means would be arranged -in two of the lines and would thereby control the actuator,

elements as obviously there could be one or a plurality of switch elements.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

I claim:

1. A circuit breaker comprising'a switch unit mounted as a floating structure and havin both rocking and translatory motion and having a movable pivot point, spring means yieldingly supporting said unitary structure at the pivot point, an actuator engaging said switch unit and rockable back and forth across said pivot point and having both rocking and translatory motion, a plurality of pivot means for said actuator, said actuator successively engaging said pivot means as said actuator is rocked, and two independent means for respectively controlling the rocking and translatory motion of said actuator.

2. A switch comprising a switch unit including a movable contact and switch operating means for moving said movable contact, a, cooperating contact, said switch unit having a pivot point,

spring means pivotally supporting said switch unit at said pivot point, a rocking actuator coacting with said switch unit at one end to rock said switch unit as said rocking actuator is rocked back and forth across said pivot point to cause said contacts to engage and disengage, a plurality of pivot means for said actuator, said actuator successively ngaging said pivot means as said actuator is roc, ed, said actuator bodily shifting its position longitudinally of said switch operating means when said actuator is rocked, and

means for rocking said actuator.

3. A switch comprising a switch unit including a movable contact and switch operating means, a cooperating contact, said switch unit having a pivot point and rockable about said pivot pmnt to cause-engagement and disengagement between said contacts, a rocking actuator coacting at one end with said switch unit and movable to opposite sides of said pivot point to cause said switch unit to rock, a plurality of pivot means for said said actuator successivel ngaging said pivot means and having bodily travel from one pivot means to another pivot means as said actuator. is rocked, spring means for holding said actuator and said switch operating means in engagement, and means for rocking said actuator.

4. A switch comprising a switch unit pivotally mounted for rocking motion about a pivot point and having a movable contact, a cooperating contact, a rocking actuator engaging said switch unit at one end and adapted to move back and forth to opposite sides of said pivot point for operating said switch unit to cause engagement and disengagement between said contacts, a carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier as said actuator is moved, spring means for holding said actuator and switch unit in engagement, and means for moving said actuator.

5. A switch comprising a switch unit pivotally mounted for rocking motion about a pivot point and having a movable contact, a cooperating contact, an actuator bearing against said switch unit and movable to opposite sides of said pivot point for rocking said switch unit to cause engagement and disengagement between said contacts, a carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier as said actuator is moved back and forth across the pivot point of said switch unit, spring means for holding said actuator and switch unit in engagement, and means for moving said actuator.

6. A switch construction comprising switch means, floating switch operating means operatively coupled to said switch means and pivoted intermediate its ends, an actuator bearing against said switch operating means and movable back and forth along said switch operating means to cause said switch operating means to rock, a carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier, spring means for holding said actuator and said switch operating means in engagement, and means for moving said actuator.

7. A switch construction comprising a floating switch unit having a pivot point intermediate its ends and having both rocking and translatory motion and including a movable contact, a cooperating contact, an actuator bearing against said switch unit and movable to opposite sides of said pivot point for rocking said switch unit to cause engagement and disengagement of said contacts, a carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier, spring means bearing against said switch unit adjacent said pivot point and urging said switch unit towards motion of translation, said spring means acting in the same direction to rock said switch unit inopposite directions depending on the position of said actuator, and means for moving said actuator.

8. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit having both rocking and translatory motion and having a movable pivot point, spring means yield ingly supporting said switch unit adjacent said pivot point, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth across said pivot point and having-both rocking and translatory motion, a carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier, main operating means for moving said actuator, and condition responsive means forreleasing said switch unit for translatory motion.

9. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit having both rocking and translatory motion,

spring means supporting said switch unit and urging said switch unit towards translatory motion to switch open position, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth towards opposite ends of said switch unit and mounted for both rocking and translatory motion, a movably mounted-carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier, said spring means when said actuator is adjacent one end of said switch unit rocking said switch unit in one direction and when said actuator is adjacent the other end of said switch unit rocking said switch unit in the other direction, main operating means for moving said actuator towards opposite ends of said switch unit, and condition responsive means controlling the motion of said carrier.

10. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit mounted as a floating structure and having both for rocking said actuator, and condition responsive means for releasing said carrier to allow said actuator to execute translatory motion.

11. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit mounted as a floating structure and having both rocking and translatory motion and havin a movable pivot point, spring means yieldingly supporting said floating structure, an actuator engaging sa' 1c. switch unit and roclzable back and forth across said pivot point and having both rocking an translatory motion, a carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier, and two independent means for respectively controliing the rocking and translatory .motion of said actuator.

A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit rnou ed as a structure and having both rocking and translatory motion and having a movable pivotpoi t, spring inea. yieldinglysupporting said unitary structure adjacent said pivot point, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable baclz: across said pivot point and having both roc ng and .islatory motion, a movable carrier for said actua 1", said actuator rolling engagement with said carrier as said actuator is rocked back and forth across the pivot of said switch unit, means biasing said actuator towards translatory motion, means for rocking said actuator, and condition responsive means for releasing said carrier to allow said actuator to execute translatory motion.

13. A: circuit breaker comprising a switch unit mounted as a floating structure and having both rocking and translatory motion and having a. movable pivot point, spring means yieldingly supporting said floating structure adjacent said pivot point, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth across said pivot point and having both rocking and translatory motion,

a movable carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier as said actuator is rocked back and forth across the pivot point of said switch unit, means biasing said actuator towards motion in a direction away from said switch unit, means for rocking said actuator, and condition responsive means for releasing said carrier to allow said actuator to execute translatory motion away from said switch unit.

14. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit having both rocking and translatory motion, spring means supporting said switch unit and urging said switch unit towards translatory motion to switch open position, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth towards opposite ends of said switch unit and mounted for both rocking and translatory motion, a pivotally mounted carrier formin bearing means fo said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier and being biased outwardly away from said switch unit, main operating means for moving said actuator towards opposite ends of said switch unit, condition responsive means for releasing said carrier, and means operatively connecting said carrier and said main operating means for resetting said carrier.

15. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit mounted as a floating structure and having both.

rocking and translatory motion and having a movable pivot point, spring means yieldingly supporting said switch unit adjacent the pivot point, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth across said pivot point and having both rocking and translator'y motion, a

carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier as said actuator is rocked back and forth across the pivot point of said switch unit, oper ating means for rocking said actuator, condition responsive means for releasing said carrier to allow said actuator to execute translatory motion, and means for moving said main operating means from switch closed position to an indicating position when. said carrier is released.

16. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit mounted as a floating structure and having both rocking and translatory motion and having a movable pivot point, spring means yieldingly supporting said switch unit adjacent the pivot point, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth across said pivot point and having both rocking and translatory motion, a carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier as said actuator is rocked back and forth across the pivot point of said switch unit, main operating means fo rocking said actuator, spring means joining said main operating means and said actuator, and condition responsive means for releasing said carrier to allow said actuator to execute translatory motion, said spring means upon release of said carrie moving said main operating means to an indicating position.

1'7. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit mounted as a floating structure and having both rocking and translatory motion and having a movable pivot point, spring means yieldingly supporting said switch unit adjacent the pivot point, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth across said pivot point and having both rocking and translatory motion, a. carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier as said actuator is rocked back and forth across the pivot point of said switch unit, main operating means for rocking said actuator, means biasing said carrier towards motion away from said switch unit, latch means for latching said carrier against outward motion and including toggle means, and condition responsive means for actuating said toggle means to cause said latch to release said carrier.

18. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit mounted as a floating structure and having both rocking and translatory motion and having a movable pivot point, spring means yieldingly supporting said switch unit adjacent the pivot point, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth across said pivot point and having both rocking and translatory motion, a carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier as said actuator is rocked back and forth across the pivot point of said switch unit, main operating means for rocking said actuator, means biasing said carrier towards motion away from said switch unit, latch means for latching said carrier against outward motion and including toggle means, condition responsive means for actuating said toggle means to cause said latch to release said carrier,

and means for resetting said carrier and said toggle means upon motion or said main operating means to a predetermined position.

19. A circuit breaker comprising a. plvotally mounted switch unit, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth along said' switch unit to open and close said circuit breaker, a movable carrier for said actuator, said actuator having rolling engagement with 811d carrier as said actuator is. moved back and forth along said switch unit, means busing odd actuator towards motion in a direction away from said switch unit, means for moving said actuator, and condition responsive meansfor releasing said carrier to allow said actuator to execute translatory motion away from said switch unit.

20. A circuit breaker comprising a pivotally mounted switch unit, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth towards opposite ends of said switch unit and mounted for both motion back and forth along said switch unit and for translatory motion away from (said switch unit, a pivotally mounted carrier torming bearing means for said actuator, said actuator having roiling engagement with said carrier and being biased outwardly away from said switch unit, main operating means for moving said actuator towards opposite ends of said switch unit, condition responsive means for releasing said carrier,'and means operatively connecting said carrier and said main operating means for GLENN R. RUNKE.

resetting said carrier. 

